Choosing the Right Wood for Living Hinges

We have talked about Living Hinges before but recently in our Craft Closet Facebook Live I showed some experiments I did with wood and living hinges! It was so fun that we wanted to share it here on our website too so that you can have fun experimenting!

Choosing the Right Wood for Living Hinges

Living hinges allow rigid materials like wood to flex and bend, creating movement in typically non-flexible objects. Selecting the right wood is crucial for achieving a functional, durable, and aesthetically pleasing hinge. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best wood for your laser-cut living hinge projects.

Key Factors for Choosing Wood for Living Hinges

1. Wood Species and Hardness

The natural properties of different wood species affect their suitability for living hinges.

• Softwoods (Better for Living Hinges): Basswood, Italian Poplar, and Birch are softer and more flexible, making them ideal choices.
• Hardwoods (Less Suitable): Ebony, Oak, and Maple are denser and more brittle, making them more prone to breaking.

2. Natural Bendability

Some wood species have a natural ability to bend without breaking.

• Italian Poplar (Bender Board): This wood is known for its exceptional flexibility, making it an excellent choice for living hinges.
• Basswood: A softer wood that bends well and is easy to cut.

3. Material Composition

• Plywood (Best Choice): Certain plywoods, like Basswood plywood, are great for living hinges due to their layered construction, providing flexibility and strength.
• MDF Core with Veneer: Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) with a veneer finish is another option, offering smooth cutting and flexibility.
• Solid Wood (Least Flexible): While solid wood can work, it is often more brittle, and the results depend on the species and grain orientation.

4. Cutting Direction Matters

• With the Grain: Cutting the hinge parallel to the wood grain enhances flexibility and reduces the chance of breaking.
• Against the Grain: Cutting against the grain makes the hinge more brittle and prone to snapping.

5. Choosing the Right Living Hinge Pattern

The hinge pattern design significantly impacts flexibility, durability, and aesthetics.

• Tighter, denser patterns provide better flexibility.
• Looser patterns allow for gradual bends but may not be as strong.

For a variety of free living hinge patterns, check out this Instructables article. They discuss multiple hinge designs and provide free downloadable files for experimentation.

In our Facebook live we showed how to make living hinge bracelets with a very flexible pattern.  Here is the link to our file if you would like to make it too!  

Here is the link to a cup cozy but makes a great bracelet!

Have fun testing and creating!  Let us know what your favorites are!